THE SCOOP
Florida quarterback Tyler Murphy will be a game-time decision against No. 10 South Carolina.
Offensive coordinator Brent Pease said that Murphy’s throwing shoulder is still sore.
Murphy sprained his right shoulder against LSU last month. He started the past three games — losses against Missouri, Georgia and Vanderbilt — and completed 55.7 percent of his passes for 479 yards, with one touchdown pass and four interceptions. He also was sacked 15 times.
Murphy said Monday he landed on his shoulder against the Commodores — he was sacked five times — and possibly made the injury worse.
If Murphy can’t play, redshirt freshman Skyler Mornhinweg would make his first career start. Mornhinweg, the son of New York Jets offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg, hasn’t played a down in two years.
“The thing that’s tough on a kid in his situation is just experience,” Pease said. “You hope you never really have to play with a redshirt freshman. Nothing against him because he’s a smart kid, he works hard. But in a developmental situation, you hope that you get into your sophomore and junior year before you’re in that situation.”
GAMECOCKS HEALTH
South Carolina has missed only one starter, center Cody Waldrop, and he may be back on the field Saturday, coach Steve Spurrier said.
The Gamecocks may seek some payback from the 44-11 loss a year ago.
“Injury-wise and health-wise for our team, we’re probably as healthy as about any team in the country, I guess. We’ve been very fortunate there,” he said.
TV RATINGS
The Alabama victory against LSU got a 6.9 rating and a 12 share, second only to Alabama-Texas A&M earlier this season for top TV ratings of college football games this season.
HE SAID IT
“I love it. I think it makes me the player I am today. I feel disrespected at times. When I step out on the field, people can say cocky or confident or whatever they want to say, but I think I’m the best quarterback in the nation at all times when I get out on the field. I try not to talk and I try to stay out of the media and everything. I just want my play to do the talking. … People can say whatever they want. I’m happy I’m playing for this team.” — Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron on the Dan Patrick Show about being compared unfavorably with the best quarterbacks in the nation
“I was just hoping I’d catch him.” — More McCarron on how coach Nick Saban jumped into his arms after the LSU victory and the video has thousands of views on YouTube
“I am a former high school coach, and you have different players, so you have to try to adapt around that. It’s just whatever you do best, you need to build around that. That’s kind of what we are doing best right now.” — Auburn coach Gus Malzahn on having the Tigers at No. 3 in the country in rushing and not throwing as many passes as his offenses in the past usually did
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